History
Yanmar was established in Japan in 1912 as an engine manufacturer. In 1933, Yanmar pioneered the first small diesel engine and later expanded its business by producing equipment for the agriculture, marine and construction markets.
Naturally, all of these new products incorporated Yanmar diesel engines, including its first venture into compact equipment for the construction market in 1967. Yanmar developed one of the world’s first mini excavators in 1968. The company began selling the world’s first rubber crawler compact excavators in 1979 and by 1992, it began development of the world’s first zero tailswing excavator. Ever since, Yanmar has improved upon the original design, has been awarded several patents for its design innovations and is now producing its third generation of ZTS compact excavators.
Yanmar Compact Excavator | ||||||
| SPECIFICATIONS | ||||||
| Models | Gross Engine HP | Max. Digging Depth | Max. Reach | Bucket Breakout Force | Operating Weight (Ground Pressure) | MSRP |
| SV-08 | 10.3 hp | 5 ft, 2 in. | 8 ft, 11 in. | 2,360 lbs | 2,348 lbs (4.17 psi) | $21,200 |
| B-15 | 13.8 hp | 7 ft, 6 in. | 11 ft, 10 in. | 3,362 lbs | 3,307 lbs (4 psi) | $25,900 |
| ViO15-2A | 11.9 hp | 7 ft, 3 in. | 11 ft, 11 in. | 3,080 lbs | 3,704 lbs (4 psi) | $29,600 |
| ViO20-3 | 19.2 hp | 8 ft, 7 in. | 13 ft, 8 in. | 3,987 lbs | 4,910 lbs (4 psi) | $35,221 |
| ViO27-3 | 24.7 hp | 9 ft, 4 in. | 14 ft, 11 in. | 5,180 lbs | 6,306 lbs (4.64 psi) | $38,196 |
| ViO35-3 | 24.7 hp | 11 ft | 16 ft, 8 in. | 5,743 lbs | 7,740 lbs (4.63 psi) | $42,840 |
| ViO45-5 | 38.7 hp | 12 ft, 8 in. | 19 ft, 1 in. | 6,722 lbs | 10,121 (4.19 psi) | $57,013 |
| ViO55-5 | 38.7 hp | 13 ft, 8 in. | 20 ft, 4 in. | 7,598 lbs | 11,312 lbs (3.96 psi) | $62,918 |
| ViO75-A | 58.2 hp | 15 ft, 5 in. | 22 ft, 11 in. | 11,015 lbs | 17,530 lbs (5.03 psi) | NA |
| B7-6A | 58.2 hp | 14 ft, 9 in. | 21 ft | 12,320 lbs | 17,707 lbs (5.06 psi) | NA |
| SV100 | 73.5 hp | 16 ft, 1 in. | 23 ft, 9 in. | 12,216 lbs | 20,730 lbs (5.29 psi) | NA |
Product
Yanmar’s excavator line includes 11 models that range in operating weight from 2,337 to 20,730 lbs. The majority of the line (seven of the 11) fall into the category of “true zero swing,” also referred to as zero tailswing and zero house swing. Two smaller excavators are conventional tailswing, while the B7-5 has an offset boom — a conventional-mount, three-piece boom that allows the entire unit to swing inside the width of its own tracks.
Yanmar builds all of its own equipment from the ground up and installs only its own diesel engines in its excavators. The company also manufactures its own injection pumps, which are used on its engines. The new TNV series of Yanmar engines meet EPA Tier II emission regulations and are quieter than the prior versions, according to company officials.
Yanmar’s patented “VICTAS” track system ads stability and balance allowing the excavator to remain narrow so the operator can get into tight spots on the jobsite. This gives Yanmar units a bigger “footprint” while keeping the unit narrow; it’s like having expandable tracks incorporated into the undercarriage, note Yanmar officials.
The hydraulic system utilized on Yanmar excavators is a patented Variable Independent Piston Pump System (VIPPS). This progressive three-pump system makes the operation of Yanmar excavators smooth. VIPPS increases power and speed and reduces fuel consumption at the same time. With the exception of the Super Mini B08-3, which uses a gear pump system, all Yanmar units use variable displacement piston pumps. Wrist controls used with the VIPPS pump system makes operation easier and provides smooth and quiet operation.
Since the operator sits higher on Yanmar’s zero swing units than on a conventional excavator, operators can better see the surrounding area and the higher visibility inherent in the design, providing additional safety. Yanmar’s compact excavators are also designed to be quiet enough to let an operator hear what’s going on around them.
Yanmar construction equipment is manufactured in Japan and Europe, while most of its rollover protection
systems are manufactured in the United States. A hydraulic quick coupler is standard on seven of the 11 excavators.